IP lookup tool
Check the public network behind an address, including location hints, ISP ownership, ASN, and routing context.
IP address basics
Public IP vs private IP
A public IP is globally routable and is what external services usually see when traffic leaves your network.
A private IP is used only inside a local network and is not directly exposed on the public internet.
- 192.168.x.x
- 10.x.x.x
- 172.16.x.x to 172.31.x.x
What are ASN and ISP?
An ISP is the company providing network access, such as a residential broadband operator or mobile carrier.
An ASN identifies an autonomous system on the internet. Large providers, cloud networks, universities, and backbone operators all publish traffic through ASNs.
Why location is approximate
IP geolocation is based on network databases, routing information, and provider assignments. It can identify a country or region fairly well, but city-level results can be wrong.
VPNs, proxies, mobile carriers, corporate gateways, and cloud providers can make the visible IP look far away from the actual user.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my IP address change?
Most residential connections use dynamic addressing. Your provider can assign a different address when the lease changes or the connection is reset.
How can I hide my real IP?
You can route traffic through a proxy, VPN, or anonymity network so the destination sees the relay address instead of your direct origin address.
What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
IPv4 uses a smaller address space and is still common across most internet services. IPv6 provides a vastly larger address pool and is the long-term successor.
Can an IP lookup identify a person?
No. A public IP can suggest a network, provider, and approximate location, but it does not reliably identify an individual person or exact street address.
Why does my location appear in another city?
Many providers route traffic through regional gateways or use IP ranges registered to another location. VPNs, mobile networks, and corporate networks make this even more common.